The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-03-26

StarS-AndrOmedaS wonder.
The appearance of new star in the
midst of the great nebula in Andromeda
offers fitting opportunity to say a few
words on stars of similar character
which have from time to time blazed
forth in the heavens. Although the APP
pearance of new star is unquestion-
ably marvellous event, the existence
of stars whose light varies is we'll
known astronomical fact. Patient OBJ
servation of the heavens during many
centuries has shown that there are hun
dreds of such stars; and every year is
adding new members to the already
lengthy list. The great difference be-
tween variable and temporary stars is.
that in the case of the former their
period and maximum and minimum
brightness are known. In other words,
continued observation reveals the fact
that an ordinary variable star changes
from greatest briIliancy to least bril-
liancy in a certain definite time, differ
ent for different stars, ard attains and
fades to, though it may be with slight
irregularities, a certain definite maxi
mum and minimum brightness. 1t is
therefore possible, after these points
have been determined, to predict with
tolerable success the conduct of the star
during a longer or shorter period, ac-
cording to the accuracy of the observa-
tons. There are, it is true, variable
stars which display the most remarkable
eccentricity. The most wonderful OBJ
ject of this class is star in the southern
heavens situated in the Keyhole nebula,
and known as Eta Argus. To give full
particulars of this star would occupy too
much space; suffice it to say, that from
being comparatively faint object,
it gradually increased in splendor, till,
after passing through numerous strange
fluctuations, it outshone Campus, and
was surpassed only by Sirius. 1t re-
manned thus brilliant for some time;
but at length faded away till it was lost
to almost all eyes, and now shines as a
star barely visible to the unaided vision.
Stars of this class form, doubtless,
kind of bridge between the more regu-
larly variable stars and those which
suddenly blaze forth in the heavens.
In looking back over the history of
temporary stars, we are struck first
with the rarity of their appearance, and
next with the very meager accounts of
them which have come down to us.
Though there are said to be frequent
references in the Chinese annals to the
appearance of these objects, the first
historically recorded account of such an
event occurred in the year 125 B. c.
We may infer, without much risk of
error that Princes and potentates, with
a enthusiastically undue sense of their
\ own Importance, looked upon this OBJ
eAject as blazing forth some event in their
"pwn petty career. 1t had, luckily, a
enaAore useful and lasting effect, for Hip
1 .tE,l rchus, an astronomer of the school of
mes, yXandria, was led by its appearance
,rned construct the first recorded catalogue
'Don9e stars. Over and above this fact,
Vs' Wtnow little or nothing of it; and
81 q, W live less had it not come down to us
Ferris, lted with the name of Hipparchus,
ng voice. yory would long since have sunk
She pauseAvion. The next star which
yer tho iaSrth in the heavens was seen in
i az %oud ~ 89 A. D., and was situated
our good times ightest star in the constella-
ut he never saiGagle. We know nothing
cu sure there iss than that for three weeks
why, l oon'Tas brilliant us Venus, and
the Little iittie g'Ia Ky faded away till it be-
'Mr Mason, Asisible.
D see mother" most remarkable of these
Matte ieit the olS appeared in compar-
n%o nSoa eS a vho times, and have been
before tliDy tne TWO celeprateo
ONE one or somethiAo Brahe and Kepler.
nd painfully shaken. brilliancy have APP
usion she asked Allie'sh, 1ookinp hack On
nd scrubbed it down on c ,t,,a,>7',,, ~,
''Would you like my MP - 10
ee you, Allie!n she asked 'i'cans Vi opserNa'
on all about Lent" SO meager that
"Yes, ma'am, thank you, account of theil
vas hidden from view by the time they
rowd that poured forth frotsfo,r,o,. of +boeC
heater.
''What is Lent" rang in Matohstellalloh %
he way home. She was mortff2. Tycho, IL
ad not been able to give the clhtells us thai
nswer. AS she thought about Noyember
urprised to find how little attn o+,,.,, -, III,
ortv davs that ended with Easte,t number O
tho know what that commemoiVgtar which
curse; but of that interval wlrxist hal
riends refraiucd from worldly gar wher
nd society was $50 awfully dull" IN, cir;r,